“You think that if we’re calm, we’ll have the upper hand.”

“I know we will. Reynolds will be pivotal to any plan. He’s spent the better part of a week looking into Maitland. If anyone would be able to guess his movements and next move, I think it would be him.”

She dipped her head back in frustration, but also acquiescence. “Fine. I won’t argue the prudence of waiting.”

For the first time since they had begun this search that day, Jasper found himself smiling. Because that was what Thomasina did. She brought light to the darkness.

He touched her cheek. “I thank you for that. For now we will put this statue in the safe in my study. And we wait.”

She leaned against his palm. “And discuss our next move? I would assume that includes planning how we intend to parlay with this villain once we make contact.”

Jasper stared at her. They had been speaking in terms of “we” when it came to their plans, but he hadn’t ever imagined bringing Thomasina into the dangerous endgame he would certainly face if he met with Maitland a second time. The very idea of exposing his wife to that bastard made Jasper’s skin crawl.

“I’m happy to discuss strategy with you,” he said. “But I want one thing to be perfectly clear: I’m not taking you to meet with him.”

Her mouth dropped open and she looked genuinely shocked by that declaration. “What do you mean you aren’t taking me? It is my sister we’re trying to save. I most definitely want to be part of this!”

“He is a criminal,” Jasper said, throwing his hands up. “A man willing to steal and lie and…”

He trailed off because he didn’t want to pursue anything else Maitland might have done, not when Thomasina was already concerned about Anne’s whereabouts.

Thomasina’s cheeks burned crimson and she pivoted away from him. “You would cut me out, then? Let me stay here, terrified not just for my sister but for you if you were to meet with this person? This desperate, terrible person? That’s wonderful, Jasper. I’m so pleased that you only use me when you need me. That you don’t see me as a partner.”

She didn’t give him time to answer her accusation. She simply exited the attic chamber in a flounce of green gown. He stared at where she’d left. He should probably leave it be. Let her steam and stew at him if doing that kept her safe.

But he found he couldn’t. So he followed her.

Chapter 24

Thomasina was halfway down the stairs from the attic to the family wing of the house when she heard Jasper’s footfalls behind her. Her heart leapt despite her anger with him, her frustration at the situation, her fear of being left out of its resolution.

“Thomasina,” he said from behind her.

She chose to ignore him, tears stinging her eyes as she turned toward her chamber down the long hallway.